Magnetic torque metering system

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a shaft assembly ( 95 ) for a turbine engine ( 10 ), the shaft assembly ( 95 ) defining an axial direction and a radial direction, wherein the turbine engine ( 10 ) includes a fan or propeller assembly ( 14 ) and an engine core ( 20 ) and further wherein the fan or propeller assembly ( 14 ) includes a gearbox ( 45 ). The shaft (assembly 95 ) includes a coupling shaft ( 100 ) defining a plurality of coupling shaft teeth ( 105 ) extended in the axial direction, wherein each coupling shaft tooth ( 105 ) is in circumferential arrangement along the coupling shaft ( 100 ). The coupling shaft ( 100 ) includes a first material ( 103 ) and the plurality of coupling shaft teeth ( 105 ) include a second material ( 104 ) different from the first material ( 103 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A shaft assembly for a turbine engine, the shaft assembly defining an axial direction and a radial direction, wherein the turbine engine includes a fan or propeller assembly and an engine core, and further wherein the fan or propeller assembly includes a gearbox, the shaft assembly comprising:
 a coupling shaft defining a plurality of coupling shaft teeth extended in the axial direction, wherein each coupling shaft tooth is in circumferential arrangement along the coupling shaft, and further wherein the coupling shaft comprises a first material, and wherein the plurality of coupling shaft teeth comprise a second material different from the first material, 
 wherein the plurality of coupling shaft teeth each define a cavity and an outlet. 
 
     
     
       2. The shaft assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling shaft further defines a first end and a second end along the axial direction, and wherein the first end is proximate to the engine core and the second end is proximate to the gearbox, and wherein the coupling shaft is connected to the engine core at the first end and to the gearbox at the second end. 
     
     
       3. The shaft assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of coupling shaft teeth extend in the axial direction from the second end of the coupling shaft. 
     
     
       4. The shaft assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second material is a permanent magnet material. 
     
     
       5. The shaft assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the second material defines a magnetic flux greater than the first material. 
     
     
       6. The shaft assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of coupling shaft teeth each comprise an insert disposed within the cavity, and wherein the insert comprises the second material in the plurality of coupling shaft teeth. 
     
     
       7. The shaft assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a reference shaft disposed inward of the coupling shaft in the radial direction, wherein the reference shaft extends in the axial direction along the coupling shaft, and wherein the reference shaft defines a plurality of reference shaft teeth extended in the axial direction and proximate to the plurality of coupling shaft teeth, and wherein each reference shaft tooth is in alternating circumferential arrangement relative to the plurality of coupling shaft teeth, and wherein the plurality of reference shaft teeth each comprise the second material different from the first material. 
 
     
     
       8. The shaft assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of reference shaft teeth each define a cavity and an outlet. 
     
     
       9. The shaft assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of reference shaft teeth each comprise an insert disposed within the cavity, and wherein the insert comprises the second material in the plurality of reference shaft teeth. 
     
     
       10. The shaft assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of reference shaft teeth are disposed to approximately the same circumference about an axial centerline of the turbine engine as the plurality of coupling shaft teeth. 
     
     
       11. The shaft assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 one or more spacers disposed in the radial direction between the coupling shaft and the reference shaft. 
 
     
     
       12. The shaft assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more torque sensors disposed toward the plurality of coupling shaft teeth in the radial direction. 
 
     
     
       13. The shaft assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the second material and the first material are spaced circumferentially around an axial centerline of the turbine engine, and wherein the second material defines a magnetic flux density greater than the first material at an angle approximately perpendicular to the one or more torque sensors. 
     
     
       14. The shaft assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the coupling shaft teeth are located circumferentially spaced around an axial centerline of the turbine engine, and wherein the one or more torque sensors extend toward the plurality of coupling shaft teeth at an angle approximately perpendicular to the plurality of coupling shaft teeth.